2024-04-01 11:11:52
The difficult pitch in the Saarbrücken stadium has caused a stir on several occasions. Now there are also concerns ahead of the DFB Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Once again, before a cup game with third division team 1.FC Saarbrücken, people are not talking about the Saarlanders’ sensational run, but rather about the pitch. His poor condition was already a reason for discussion in the second round against Bayern.
The quarter-final against Borussia Mönchengladbach even had to be postponed at the beginning of the year because the pitch was unplayable and was rescheduled at the beginning of March. There was also criticism of the Saarbrücken Green. The semi-finals are tomorrow, Tuesday, and 1. FC Kaiserslautern will be guests at the Ludwigsparkstadion (from 8:45 p.m. in the live ticker on t-online).
And this time too there are concerns about whether the game can take place. It was already raining lightly in Saarbrücken on Good Friday. There was even more rain on Easter Sunday. There is also heavy rain on Easter Monday today, which calls into question the suitability of the pitch for play.
4,000 holes with sand
When the stadium was built, drainage was not used for cost reasons, as it would have greatly simplified the flow of water. The club now has to take other approaches so that the green is not under water.
A tarpaulin is intended to protect the square from heavy rain, as club spokesman Peter Müller told the German Press Agency on Easter Monday. The place had already been covered by Saturday. However, it wasn’t allowed to lie on the lawn for too long so as not to harm it due to the lack of light.
In addition, according to “Liga 3 News”, 4,000 holes with fine sand were punched into the ground to absorb the moisture.
On Saturday, a spokesman was still optimistic in an interview with “Bild”: “The measure has proven successful, as it has in the past. The square has coped well with the rains of the past few days.”
What happens if I cancel?
The final decision about the kick-off of the derby in the DFB Cup will be made by referee Marco Fritz on Tuesday. If the game has to be canceled, Saarbrücken will lose home rights, as FCS spokesman Müller confirmed. The game would then be played on a neutral pitch specified by the German Football Association (DFB).
The final will take place on May 25th in the Berlin Olympic Stadium. The opponent of Saarbrücken or Kaiserslautern is either Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen or second division team Fortuna Düsseldorf, who will meet on Wednesday (from 8:45 p.m. in the live ticker on t-online).